Ten years later, with the need for sustainable development reversing, the community reported The impact of large-scale mining has resulted in even greater losses of livelihoods and income. It amounts to 47% of pre-mining profits.
The biodiversity goals set by QMM are: I’m in doubt After Rio Tinto officially abandoned Net Positive Impact (NPI) as a corporate mandate in 2016.
Most seriously, contamination of local waterways in the QMM has exacerbated food insecurity and loss of livelihoods and created new health problems for already vulnerable populations.
damage
The mine violated the environmental buffer zone in 2014, permanently placing mine tailings on the bottom of Lake Besaroi and exposing the local estuary where the mine is located to toxic pollutants.
Highly enriched uranium and lead Water levels were detected in the water downstream of the mine. The QMM mine basin stores mining process wastewater and mineral waste (tailings) before discharge into the environment. uranium levels That’s 50 times higher than the WHO’s safe drinking water guidelines.
Local residents have complained of health problems since mining began, and by 2024 legal case The project was initiated following the discovery of high blood lead levels (BLL) in a group of villagers living near the mine.
QMM has experienced four mine tailings dam failures since 2010, two of them in 2022, leading to fish kills, fishing bans, months of conflict and reported human rights abuses.
wastewater
High levels of aluminum and cadmium, combined with increased acidity (low pH) of the QMM mine process wastewater, likely resulted in acid mine drainage. Possible Causes of Fish Death.
Over the past five years, fish stocks have declined and water quality has become a subject of debate and conflict.
QMM’s latest attempt to remove unauthorized levels of aluminum from mine process wastewater using new technology treatment plant There are no signs of handling other heavy metal contaminants.
Instead, a new $13 million factory poses. New threats to the environment Undisclosed toxic sludge recognized by QMM cannot be managed in the State of Madagascar.
transparency
The company denies that QMM has a negative environmental impact and has repeatedly boycotted Malagasy. What civil society demands For QMM’s independent water impact assessment.
Rio Tinto has failed to share promised research into dam failures in 2022. Issues with reports The report distributed in 2024 did little to increase confidence in the company’s claims about water quality.
An investigation was conducted into the repression of citizens opposing the QMM. adopted The Business and Human Rights Resource Center calls for greater transparency in Rio Tinto’s policies towards human rights defenders.
investor There is growing concern about water problems in Madagascar’s QMM. The same is true at other Rio Tinto mine sites.
proven
Thirty years after Andrew’s death, the QMM mine appears to have only benefited a select group of local elites in Madagascar and Rio Tinto shareholders.
Rural villagers living in vulnerable coastal forests and along estuaries are struggling. became poorerAnd they live with greater risks to their health, human rights and livelihoods than before the mines arrived.
In this respect, Andrew’s concerns about the Anosy region were vindicated and his advocacy campaign to force Rio Tinto to account at national and international levels for its legacy of fighting for transparency and human rights.
Thank you so much ecologist for amplification Struggle in Madagascar.
right to reply
A Rio Tinto spokesperson said: ecologist: “QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) has been providing employment and economic activity in the Anosy region of Madagascar for more than 20 years. We have always strived to conduct our business in accordance with the highest standards of honesty and transparency for the benefit of the local community. Host Governments, Stakeholders and Customers QMM operates in a region that is very sensitive from a water and wider environmental perspective – the local communities are farmers and fishermen and we take our responsibilities to them very seriously. We discuss the specific issues it raises and recognize that there is more we can do to mitigate the impact of our operations while also having a positive impact on the livelihoods of our host communities. As part of the financial agreement between the Government of Madagascar and Rio Tinto, we have committed to increase our support to the community to $4 million per year over 25 years, half of which will be spent locally, subject to government regulatory requirements. mine lease We carry out an extensive water quality monitoring program in the region and around Mandena. As part of this program, we also carry out additional monitoring and sampling of groundwater, surface water and marine water quality for the Ehoala Port activities. We are committed to providing transparency and have announced the following for 2023: QMM Water Report 2021-2023 A three-year radiation community study conducted by international environmental experts, JBS&G Australia Pty Ltd. This report can be viewed at: QMM website.”
Author Lee
Yvonne Orengo Independent communications consultant and director. Andrew Lees Trust (ALT UK) The British charity was established following the death of its namesake in 1994. She lived and worked in southern Madagascar to develop social and environmental programs. She has followed the development of the Rio Tinto/QMM mine for 30 years and has been actively involved in research and advocacy campaigns on QMM issues.
